Taiwan ruling

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of same-sex marriage, making the island the first place in Asia to recognise gay unions. The court yesterday said the current civil code that does not permit same-sex marriages was a violation of two articles of the constitution of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name. It says authorities must either enact or amend relevant laws within two years, failing which same-sex couples could have their marriages recognised by submitting a document. Both the ruling and major opposition parties support legalisation of same-sex marriage, as do a majority of the public and President Tsai Ing-wen. Gays and lesbians in Taiwan have formed an effective lobby in recent years, with an annual Gay Pride march drawing tens of thousands.